What is the Blue Badge? How may I apply? How may I use it? If you are disabled, you may be able to get this disability benefit. Then, you could be able to park closer to your destination. This could be a huge benefit for those who cannot easily move around or go outside. Your Benefits will walk you through everything you need to know about the Blue Badge.

How to apply for a blue badge

There are two ways that you may apply for a blue badge: online or by paper form. The easiest and most straightforward way to apply is online.

You still need to apply if you are automatically eligible for a blue badge. If you are not automatically eligible for the benefit, you will need to provide extra explanation in the application form. In this, you will explain why you require this card.

What documents do I need to apply?

In order to complete your application, you will need the following information and documents:

• Your National Insurance number (you will need your child’s reference number if you are applying on their behalf);
• In case you are a blue badge holder: the number, expiry date and local council information on it;
• If you are automatically eligible: the decision letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP);
• If you are not automatically eligible: details on your medical condition;
• Proof of identification, such as a passport, driving license, or birth or marriage certificate;
• A Council Tax bill within the last 3 months as a proof of address (you may also allow your local council to check their records during your application);
• A photo (taken with a digital camera) of the person who is eligible for the badge.

If you are applying by post, be sure to send copies, not originals. Your documents may take a long time to be sent back. Additionally, there is a chance your application gets lost when travelling by post.

The copy of your proof of identification needs to be certified. This can be done by a person such as a solicitor. You might be charged for this procedure, depending on the professional doing the procedure.

When certifying a copy, the professional should write the following:

• ‘This copy is a true likeness of the original’;
• Information on the certifying professional: their name, address and occupation;
• The current date.

Do you get a blue badge with pip

You might also be automatically eligible if you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For this, one of the following must apply:

• You obtained 8 points or above in the ‘moving around’ section of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment;
• You obtained 10 points and were put in category ‘E’ in the ‘planning and following journeys’ section of your PIP assessment (this could be because you are unable to leave your house because of your stress, anxiety or other mental health issue).

Unsure what the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are? Whether you can get these benefits depend on how old you are. This determines your eligibility:

What is a blue badge?

A blue badge is a benefit awarded to people with a condition that impacts their mobility. In order to be eligible for blue badge perks, you must have a health condition or disability that impacts your mobility. The card then allows you to park in spots closer to your destination.

Can I get a blue badge if I am terminally ill?

If you have less than 6 months to live, or were diagnosed with a terminal illness, your local council can help you. They will be able to accelerate your claim. To do so, you will first have to ask for a DS1500 from your doctor or consultant. This form will show them that you have a terminal illness.

How long for my application to be processed?

It might be a while until your blue badge application is fully processed. However, after 6-8 weeks, contact your local council. This may be an abnormally long time.

You may also be asked to speak to a member of the council, or to send in extra. In both of these cases, this will be asked of you in writing. If your application is refused, you may also ask for a reconsideration from your local council.

Blue badge eligibility

You do not need to be able to drive in order to be eligible for blue badge perks. There are certain conditions and benefits that make you automatically eligible for this benefit. They are:

• Being registered blind;
• Getting the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA); 
• Receiving War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement;
• Receiving a lump sum through the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8) (you must also have been confirmed as having a substantial and permanent disability).

However, you might not be able to be automatically eligible for the blue badge scheme, but still be eligible to apply for a blue badge. You must have:

• Long term issues when it comes to walking or moving from place to place (these can be caused by anxiety, stress, or another mental health issue);
• Severe difficulties when it comes to using your arms;
• Your application is done for a child over 2 years old who has difficulties walking or moving places, or a child over 3 who needs to stay in close proximity of a vehicle because of a health condition.

Where can you park with a blue badge?

You may not use your blue badge perk in single places with parking spaces. Some places may have different schemes for parking for disabled people. For example, the following places do not follow the blue badge scheme:

• Kensington and Chelsea;
• Gatwick Airport;
• Heathrow Airport;
• City of Westminster;
• City of London;
• Camden (only in some areas).

You should be able to park free of charge:

• On parking spaces on streets equipped with either parking meters or pay-and-display machines (for the length that you require);
• In disabled parking bays on streets (for the length that you require unless this is limited by a sign).

You might be allowed to park on spots with a ‘no loading sign‘. You may also be able to receive a handicapped spot near your home. Check if both of these apply by calling your local council. If you are unsure, you can find your local council on the Gov.UK website.

The place where you are parking may have a time limit. In this case, set the parking clock as showing the 15-minute time period in which you arrived. You may appeal tickets you received after properly displaying your badge.

In what other situations can I or someone else use my Badge?

Someone else may use your blue badge perks. This might be if both you are in the car with them, and if they are driving you to or from a place, and they need to park not far from where you might need to go.

You may receive a parking ticket while using the badge. Indeed, you should not use your blue badge incorrectly. You may also receive a fine of £1000. This is the case if you:

• Let someone else other than your driver use your badge;
• Do not stop using your badge if you do not need it;
• Park and wait using your badge, and have no intentions of leaving your vehicle.